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21
appreciable by the chemist, who, although he may be able to
point out waters which are hazardous, cannot say in all cases
that a particular water may be used with perfeot safety.
Although most of the bakehouses in the district have been
visited every year, yet a systematic inspection of the whole
during a number of consecutive days has not been made since
the Bakehouse Regulation Act was repealed until this year.
As there are 146 bakehouses in the district, and they are
scattered all over it, an inspection of the whole was made, and
occupied some time. It was carried out without opposition on
the part of the bakers, when they were informed that entry was
demanded under the provisions of the Sanitary Act, and not
under those of the Factory Act. As many as 93 bakehouses
were found to be in good order, and in a cleanly state, but the
following objectionable arrangements were met with, viz., in
two there were untrapped drain openings in the floor of the
bakehouses; in 21 there were bell traps, several of which were
dry, so that there might as well have been no trap at all; and
in two other instances there were unventilated wateT closets
which opened into the bakehouses—one of these had been
recently erected. In addition, 26 required limewhiting and
cleansing. The whole of the defects were removed under the
notices served on the occupiers to our satisfaction, yard gullies
being substituted for bell traps; the two water closets being
properly lighted and ventilated, and separated by a double
door from the bakehouse. The limewhiting and cleansing
were also speedily attended to. A bed and bedding was found
in one bakehouse instead of in a separate room, but over this
objectionable arrangement we have no control. I may say in
conclusion that there has not been any difficulty in obtaining
the abatement of any nuisances which have been found in the
bakehouses of this district.
About the middle of the year complaints were made to me
respecting the foul state of the Lea, which, it was alleged, arose
from imperfectly purified sewage being poured into the river at
Tottenham. I made enquiries into the matter, and inspected